I had no time to worry over my injured soul as I bent over, dug a small hole in the dirt, and pulled out a holocube. Something all of my people should be doing right now. In war, communication was key to victory. I needed a network that allowed me to receive messages. Taking the time to make sure the hole wasn't deep, I dropped the holocube and re-covered the hole.
"There," I said, summoning my personal Holocube. Witnessing a network was slowly being built, dozens of messages were slowly transmitted informing me of positions and various locations of interest. But most interestingly, I saw a report regarding someone claiming that our souls had been marked upon entry.
Returning my Holocube to my soul space, I released a deep breath and narrowed my eyes over the serene forest enveloping me. It had gone silent, really silent, all of a sudden.
"Who goes there," I asked calmly, summoning the Spear of Pestilence, my gaze surveyed the bushes, trees, and luscious grass when the glint of a small dagger darted towards my head. My lips curled, and my off-hand swiftly moved, catching the Kuni of all things with ease; my brow furrowed, and I whipped towards the source. I Weaved through the bushes and dense trees; my eyes locked coldly onto a young boy with long black hair, crimson eyes that carried a familiar glow, and a foreboding presence.
"Invader!" The boy shouted, drawing another Kuni from his waist. Anger flashed over his eyes, and he charged. A mere mortal was rushing at me. A boy barely at World God had charged at me, a god.
Holding my gaze, the Kuni in the boy's hands around the age of twelve slowly turned to dust as my bloodline growled, bearing its fangs, a horridly cold pressure descended, freezing this child of the abyss in place.
"This is not your first time; it doesn't appear to be your first time seeing an outsider. Who else have you seen, boy." I asked calmly, a little surprised I could not see this child's name, struggling to move, my spear arced through the skies landing over the boy's neck, drawing a slit of blood, his struggles came to a swift end, and fear settled in place of his defiance. " I will not ask again."
"MOMMY!!!!" The boy cried.
I blinked away in disbelief. And my gaze whipped towards a powerful surge of abyssal qi ripping through the air. Darkening the skies, I felt the power of a God piercing through the forest. Moving at a frightening speed, the glint of an azure saber arced at almost impossible angles. I thrusted out my spear with such ferocity that all of the vicious arcs of blade light shattered like shards of glass. My spear tore through the Low God's shoulder, skewering her. A cry of anguish left the mother's lips while the boy howled in panic.
"Are you really from the abyss? What happened to 'Into the Abyss?" I sought out, arching my hand, letting the path of Abyssal Night run through my hands into a small black flame that hovered just above my palm.
The child's eyes, alongside the rather alluring mother, who was fitting out that loose robe rather well, eyes grew wide like the stars. "You gonna attack, or do I have to kill you two?"
"You're not an outsider?" Said the Mother.
"Well, I have been in the deepest part of the abyss," I slightly joked, reminiscing of the last time I had her booty. Clearing my throat, I explained, " I know your queen, Lilith Snow. I am Arsene Snow."
"Really?" She said, and I slowly nodded, unsure if she was kidding. "Really?' She repeated with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Mother! You cannot trust him," The boy I had dismissed cried. Almost screaming out in agreement alongside the boy, I could only sigh, knowing these people were sure to have problems in the future.
Summoning my sigil that had long since fused with Lilith, a regal force flowed aimlessly over the air. Removing my spear from the mother, who reeled in pain as I did, the two of them, mother and son, fell to one knee in reverence.
"My King," They said in unison.
Dismissing my spear, I studied the mother dripping blood over her clothing and then at the boy peering up with a sparkle.
I might have to separate these abyssal people if they began to spawn in my realm. That innocence is rather disturbing; I guess when you live as a hive, you simply trust everyone. How strange at least they don't stare at me in disdain like Julius, that self-righteous bastard. I can't wait to fuck him up.
Finally nodding, I played along, " Yes, so I will ask again. Did you capture or meet another invader?"
Clenching her shoulder to stop the flow of grueling blood, the flame in my hand sprung onto her wound, sucking all of my divinity, acting as a poison making sure healing wasn't possible. I allowed this woman to heal without issue.
"Thank you, My King. But to answer your question, we have indeed captured some people. Our leader, who is a battle king, has fought and defeated three women. They were defeated quite easily, especially with the soul damage they sustained when we felt them arrive on our domain."
So Lilith didn't make them as defenseless as I thought.
"Do they look like this," I asked, creating a virtual image of Freya, Zanris, and Ezra? The female amazon nodded, peering up with swirling scarlet eyes.
"Yes, m'lord."
"And your name?"
"Rena, m'lord," She said, blinking in wonder.
Not bothering to glance at her son, I beckoned her to rise, "Take me to your village."
"Yes, my lord," She said, taking her son into her hands. She dashed away while I gave chase. Making sure to keep a watchful eye, I could not help but notice a few cold eyes glaring from a distance, but I made no point to strike. These people were of a single mind, or at least that is how it should be. I have no idea what Lilith did.
Hours later, under the glaring twin's sun, sweat poured from my head as the familiar heat in my stomach burned. We arrived before a large fortress, surrounded by several watchtowers, all guarded by several men and women of various races, holding one thing in common. They were part of the abyssal bloodline.
"Lower the bridge!" Rena thundered.
The bridge dropped, and racing out stood armed soldier draped in studded leather padding. They stood fully armed, housing all kinds of weapons, their expression grim and icy. Coming to a halt, they readied their weapons to cut me down.
"Rena, what is the meaning of—"
Not willing to hear any more, I Shadow Stepped over twenty meters past them. Before they could even grasp where I was, I once again Shadow-Stepped deeper into the fortress till my expression turned pale as a ghost, and I swayed to the wall hidden in the shadows, covered in sweat—grumbling at the pain piercing into my soul once again. My eyes closed in response to the weariness.
"Times like this, I miss Aegis," I bitterly said, releasing a heavy breath, opening my eyes to the world around me, glimmering with a saturated glow. Biting my lips to not faint outright, I pushed ahead, driving from the shadows to the next. I momentarily arrived in an open area in what seemed like the western district of this village—glaring at the three ladies hung in the air in what appeared to be like a cage. I surveyed the area and narrowed my eyes.
"Freya," I mentally communicated, "Are there anyone there?"
The Norse Goddess lit up with a luscious glow. Her scarlet gaze whipped towards me, hidden within the shadows. She smiled, drawing the attention of the other ladies. "Master." She exclaimed in my mind, " There are seven guards, all at realm lord."
"How the hell did you lose?" I could not help but ask, watching her expression turn bright red.
"I had to protect them," Freya blamed, glancing at Zanris and Ezra. " Their leader seemed to have sensed the power of Shadowfell and offered me a deal."
"Can you escape?" I hastily asked, having no time to ponder her words, running the path of the abyssal night to soothe the torment pressing dangerously in my mind.
Freya glanced around and frowned, " I can, but I think you should stay, Master. Their Leader is an interesting one."
"Escape and come to my side," I softly said, holding my head that was pounding. " Leave the others. They will be fine."
Falling from out of the shadows, I allowed myself just under where Freya and the rest hung. Freya chuckled, and with a powerful flair of Divinity, her cage shattered to dust, and she fell.
"Catch me, Master!" She cried childishly.
Stretching my arm hastily as this child fell into them, I glared, " Your not a child, you know."
"Master? Your soul. How did it get so injured?" She hastily asked.
"Training," I answered. While it wasn't the best of methods forcing the Path of Abyssal Night to mend my injured soul was a form of refinement. Shifting my gaze to Ezra and Zan, who was now free, I continued, " You two stay. I will deal with this leader."
"So this is your master?" From the skies, a dark voice sounded, " A male of all things? Please tell me he is one of your concubines?"
'Master," Freya started, rising to her feet, "It will seem this village is a Matriarchy. All the men you have seen here are nothing more than caretakers."
Thinking about Lilith, I could not help but wonder if this was her doing or if this naturally happened. There were quite a few planets like this in Noctem, but such a thing didn't happen within the prime worlds. Men were usually in dominant positions, hehe, quite literally. I wonder if this is just this village that is a Matriarchy or all the abyss.
Descending from the skies stood another delicious entree: cinnamon skin, deep golden eyes, long curly hair fluttering wildly through the winds. Alongside her arms stood tribal markings of various runes I did not recognize. Nevertheless, this creature was stunning.
"Arsene Snow, "I introduced.
"Sorina," She said, holding no last name, same as Rena. Her arms crossed over her chest, and she approached, without fear, " So you are the master."
My eyes narrowed, "What happened to your shared mind?"
Sorina's gaze turned cold, but beneath her raging emotions, I could see wariness, "And how does an outside like you know of this."
"Because he is the King," Rena shouted, rushing towards us. Covered in sweat, clinging to her robes, she peered at Sorina, " Leader, he carries the crest of the queen embedded into his sigil." She confirmed, bowing her head. She pointed at me with expectation. "Show them, my king. The moment I felt it, my blood boiled.
Summoning my sigil, which glistened, the laws of the abyss reeled with the combined presence of Lilith's and mine sigil. One by one, the woman and men slowly gathering behind Rena fell to their knees. Feeling the pulse of their queen, my sugar mama, they kneeled in worship.
"Master," Freya said, drawing close to my ear, " It seems you may have your pick."
Sliding my hand over Freya's behind, she jumped as I held her firmly, cuffing her plump ass; her cheeks grew red hot. " Why? When I have such a wonderful goddess at my side. I am sure you can do things to help mend his headache of mine."
She bit her lips and leaned close when Zanris slowly made her way between us, shaking her head, " Zan first!"
"Arsene Snow," Sorina said, her tone not as solemn or respectful as Rena. "Allow me to invite you to my humble abode."
Hesitating for a minute or so, Zanris nudged my shoulder, sending a soul whisper, " Master, you should stay. There are quite a few things you could learn; these abyssal bitches, are very adept at manipulating their abyssal essence. You are sure to learn more about your sutra."
Creasing my brow, I frowned. Time was never on my side. Everything I had prepared was meant to give me an advantage over everyone. My network was growing with each passing hour. Some of my soldiers are already reporting armies gathering in the skies. I could be defenseless but not blind.
"I shall stay," I said. It was better to get a map of the area anyway; this would at least help.
Sorina smiled, and picked herself up, " Great, then allow me to lead the way. Oh, and to answer your earlier question, our shared mind only occurs with those we have mated with on a deep level and conceive children with. It's a part of the individual bloodline we share with family only."
Shaken by this new restriction that could potentially change the raw ability of the abyssal people, a smile crept over my lips.
-_- Just found out my sister eats soup with a fork. Idk when this started, but it seems like she has been doing this for years. It was so bizarre to me. I wonder if she does the same for cereal and milk.